305 
seems highly probable that there is a root disease amongst the 
padi, and it is of importance that this be investigated during 1907. 
The time of year I visited Kuang, and the cursory examination I 
was able to give the disease renders it impossible to state with 
certainty whether such is the case. I am of opinion that, when 
more attention has been given to the irrigation of the padi, the 
disease will greatly decrease. 
Sharply defined areas that are badly attacked are coincident 
vyith patches that are below the true level of the field, and in these 
depressions the water remains behind, hecoming stagnant when 
other portion of the field is dry. 
Remedial and Preventive Measures. 
With regard to remedial measures two things are important 
First , all padi in any way affected should be burnt. There 
are many small areas at Kuang in which every plant is dead, and 
in all these there are numerous larvae and pupae; these should be 
destroyed. 
The plants could be collected and burnt (care being taken to 
take up the roots of at any rate drier plants), or a preferable plan 
would be to gather in what fruit is left and the whole area burnt. 
Secondly , depressed areas should be thoroughly dug up, the 
ground burnt over, lime mixed with it, and' then levelled as far as 
possible. Stagnant water should not be allowed to remain on 
the field. 
As before mentioned the eggs are presumably laid in August 
or September. This being the case I would suggest that all padi, 
at any rate in the infected district, be planted towards the middle 
of April in order to avoid the larval stage of this pest. Direct 
observation for some months is necessary before I can state with 
certainty that this last suggestion will be effective as I am not yet 
aware how many broods a year this insect has. 
I regret that this matter was not reported to this department 
before, as I learn from the natives that the disease appeared some 
three months ago for the first time. The probable reason for this 
delay is that this larva (as in many species of this family) has 
concealed habits, often attacking the roots and the lower part of 
the stems, and it is not until a considerable amount of the crop is 
lying dead on the field that any disease is suspected by the 
natives. The insect has by this time thoroughly established itself, 
and in the case at Kuang further destruction is inevitable, and 
the whole field had better be burnt. I ‘would urge the District 
Officers to endeavour to make the native understand the import- 
ance of careful observation and cultivation of their crops in order 
to detect any disease in time, and that the earliest observation of 
a pest be sent to this department. 
{£JC2, 
